Government promotes housing with DCLG rebrand

Sajid Javid (pictured) has remained in post as part of today’s Cabinet reshuffle but has seen his job title change to the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government.

The new role suggests that a greater importance will be placed on housing which has not been a Cabinet level brief for a number of years. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt also saw his job title expand, becoming secretary of state for health and social care.

Nick Sanderson, chief executive at Audley Group, said: “Appropriate provision of housing and social care are two of the biggest issues facing the country at present and the prime minister’s move to up weight the roles of Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt respectively is welcome news for both sectors.

“Separately, Javid’s recent consultation into leasehold properties and ground rents is indicative that he is looking to prepared to shake things up in housing and with both sectors at crisis point, results are needed quickly; the consequences of failure in either do not bear thinking about.”

The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association pointed out the perceived lack of importance attached to the housing portfolio last year citing the fact that 14 different housing ministers have been appointed since 2000.

It criticised the government, stating that the role of secretary responsibility for housing changes 20 times faster 20 times faster than the average home.

And in November, Javid wrote to the Commons to complain local authorities had not been doing enough planning for the homes that they need.

Speaking at the time, he said: “Up-to-date plans, including local plans, are essential because they provide clarity to communities and developers about where homes should be built and where not, so that development is planned rather than the result of speculative applications.

“At present too few places have an up-to-date plan.”

Back in October he was criticised after on The Andrew Marr Show, he would not commit and say he would use government money for sprinklers in tower blocks after the Grenfell Tower tragedy.